Nicki Minaj Defends ‘Roman Holiday’ Grammy Performance

By

Lyneka Little

Feb 14, 2012 8:29 am ET

During Sunday’s Grammy Awards, rapper-singer Nicki Minaj appeared as one of her alter egos, Roman Zolanski, confusing some viewers with a theatrical performance that seemed to have something to do with exorcism. In an interview with Ryan Seacrest on his radio show, Minaj defended her performance, saying, “It’s funny because it was the most comfortable I’ve ever been on stage in my entire life.” She went on to say “My fan base, they understand every single thing because Roman was created two years ago. I’ve been writing the story for a long time and yesterday was his coming-out party. It just was very literal and streamlined if you know who Roman is and if you don’t know the Roman character, you have to digest it.” The Catholic League released a press release criticizing Minaj. “Whether Minaj is possessed is surely an open question, but what is not in doubt is the irresponsibility of The Recording Academy. Never would they allow an artist to insult Judaism or Islam,” wrote the Catholic League. “It’s bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-à-vis a hostile administration in Washington without also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry. The net effect, however, will only embolden Catholics, as well as their friends in other faith communities.”

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